“And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do’ ” (Acts 22:10).
Have you ever experienced a dramatic encounter that radically changed your life? The Apostle Paul experienced a dramatic encounter with our Lord. In the prime of Paul’s life, he was recognized as a top religious, educational, political, and social leader (Philippians 3:1-9). He was well respected, but spiritually bankrupt.
Paul was known for hunting down and persecuting Christians. He did not understand the Christian faith. Paul was determined to overcome this new teaching by eliminating their growing influence. His actions seemed rational, patriotic, and righteous. He was determined to destroy the Christian faith, regardless of the cost.
When Paul was speaking to a large crowd in Acts 22:6-11, he explained how God’s light shined into his life, “Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him” (Acts 9:3). He asked the Lord, “What shall I do?” God told him to “get up” and “go to Damascus.” God removes us from the darkness to lead us further into the light.
God had a plan for Paul’s life. Paul was ready to pursue God’s plan. Light is designed to reveal. When God’s light shines in our hearts, it reveals the truth about our spiritual condition, the reality of our sin. We forget sometimes that God’s light is always shining though us. We don’t always respond in the Spirit, but the light continues to shine and expose the true condition of our heart. If we allow God’s light to eliminate all sin, our willingness to go and serve Him can increase.
As you look inside your heart today, what darkness is God trying to remove? What areas of the flesh constantly pull you back into the darkness? As you pray for your friends who don’t know Christ, what areas of darkness are holding them back? What is the enemy using to keep them from the light? Take additional time to pray through these things. Remember, you were designed to live in the light.
Paul wrote, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). Know Christ, then get up and go serve Him.
Read: Open your Bible and read Acts 22:6-11.
Reflect: Prayerfully consider the following: When was the last time I asked God, “What do you want me to do to advance your kingdom?”
Respond: As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?
The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.